Night vision preserving case for use in association with an electronic device

ABSTRACT

A case for use in association with an electronic device having a camera system with a flash that can serve as a flashlight, including: (a) a case body, wherein the case body is adapted to releasably retain the electronic device; and (b) a cover member, wherein the cover member is adapted to enable a person to use the flash of the camera system as a flashlight while simultaneously preserving his/her night vision.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to cases, enclosures, and/orassemblies, and, more particularly, to those used in association withelectronic devices (e.g., smart phones, Apple iPhones, Samsung Galaxy,tablets, Apple iPads, Microsoft Surface Pros, etcetera) having camerasystems that enable a person to use the flash of the camera system as aflashlight while simultaneously preserving his/her night vision. Whenused with an electronic device, the night vision preserving cases of thepresent invention eliminate the need for a secondary and/or stand-aloneflashlight in, for example, aviation, hunting, and militaryapplications - just to name a few.

2. Background Art

Cases and enclosures for electronic devices have been known in the artfor years and are the subject of a plurality of patents andpublications, including: U.S. Pat. No. 10,863,062 entitled “Apparatus toCover Front and Rear Mobile Device Cameras,” U.S. Pat. No. 10,362,847entitled “Lens for Protective Case,” U.S. Pat. No. 10,103,769 entitled“Protective Enclosure for an Electronic Device,” U.S. Pat. No.10,058,155 entitled “Protective Case System,” U.S. Pat. No. 9,369,170entitled “Mobile Device Case with Movable Camera Cover,” U. S. Pat. No.9,078,498 entitled “Holder,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,581,893 entitled “U-CoverCamera Phone,” U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2015/0146401entitled “Case for a Portable Electronic Device Having a Cable toElectrically Couple the Portable Electronic Device to an ExternalDevice,” U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2014/0057687 entitled“Cellular Phone Case,” and Chinese Patent Number CN205945826 entitled“Cellphone Camera Lens Cover” - all of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety including all references citedtherein.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,863,062 appears to disclose an apparatus to covermobile device cameras including a cover assembly. The cover assemblyincludes a rear camera cover and a front camera cover. The rear cameracover is adapted to cover the rear camera of a mobile device and thefront camera cover is adapted to cover the front camera of the mobiledevice. The cover assembly further includes an actuating member thaturges front camera cover and rear camera cover to the front camera andrear camera respectively. Furthermore, the camera assembly covers boththe front and rear camera while maintaining the functionality of thespeaker and microphone on a mobile device. Additionally, the coverassembly provides an opening for the flash component on a mobile deviceto allow a user to still use the flash of a mobile device. The apparatusmay also cover additional components and sensors such as microphones,charging ports, and speakers.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,362,847 appears to disclose a protective case for anelectronic device having a camera and a microphone. The protective caseincludes a lens assembly that comprises a transparent lens and awater-resistant membrane attached to the transparent lens and configuredto cover the microphone of the installed electronic device. Thetransparent lens has a first side configured to face the electronicdevice when the electronic device is installed in the protective caseand a second side opposite the first side. A first portion of the firstside and a second portion of the second side are each coated with alight-blocking material. The first portion has an area greater than anarea of the second portion.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,103,769 appears to disclose a protective enclosure foruse with an electronic device that includes a bottom shell, a firstcushioning member, and a second cushioning member. The bottom shellincludes a back portion and walls attached to the back portion to form acavity for receiving and removably retaining the electronic device. Thebottom shell also includes an aperture configured to provide directaccess to the touch screen of the installed electronic device. The firstcushioning layer is overmolded onto at least the inner surface of the ofback portion of the bottom shell and configured to contact and cushionat least a back surface of the installed electronic device. The secondcushioning layer is separate from the first cushioning layer andincludes a perimeter cushioning member overmolded onto at least aportion of the walls of the bottom shell.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,058,155 appears to disclose a protective case systemthat includes a mounting accessory and a protective case. The mountingaccessory includes a dovetail rail member with a snap feature and anengagement feature. The protective case includes an inner liner forreceiving and at least partially enclosing the electronic device whenthe electronic device is installed in the protective case, an outershell extending around at least a portion of the inner liner, and amount adapter removeably attached to the outer shell.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,369,170 appears to disclose a protective case for amobile device that has a body removably disposed on the mobile deviceand a movable lens cover disposed on the body proximate to the firstcamera lens. The movable lens cover includes a first lens occlusionsection and a first sensor access section. The movable lens cover canhave at least two positions in relation to the mobile device. A fullyexposed position exposes both the first camera lens and the at least onesensor of the mobile device, and a first partially occluded positiondisposes the first lens occlusion section over the first camera lenspreventing light from reaching the first camera lens and disposes thefirst sensor access section over the at least one sensor allowing the atleast one sensor to receive the input.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,078,498 appears to disclose a holder for a device thatmay have a receiver which captures an end of the device, and anengagement mechanism that may latch or secure the device into theholder. The holder may permit the device to be held in two or moredifferent positions, and may secure the device in the holder when theholder may be oriented in several different orientations. The holder mayoperate in conjunction with a removable protective cover that mayinclude features that interact with the engagement mechanism.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,581,893 appears to disclose an active lens cover for adevice, such as a smart phone, with a dual lens camera. The camera lensthat faces the user and the camera lens that faces away from the userare not directly behind each other, but are slightly offset. The activelens cover is advantageously in the shape of a “U”, which allows asingle cover to be used to protect both lenses. The offset arrangementof the two lenses allows the facing lens be exposed by sliding the lenscover in one direction, and the away lens to be exposed by sliding thelens cover in the opposite direction. When the lens cover is slid toexpose the facing camera lens, the camera phone automatically turns ONand enters a pre-selected operating mode. When the cover is slid in theopposite direction to expose the away camera lens, the camera phoneautomatically turns ON and enters another pre-selected operating mode.The housing of the U-cover includes at least one sensor that tells thedevice’s CPU what hardware to activate. In the preferred embodiment, theuser is able to seamlessly switch between transmitting a video feed fromeither camera during a telephone call.

U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2015/0146401 appears to disclose acase for a portable electronic device including a first surface, asecond surface, and sides between the first surface and the secondsurface. The portable electronic device is adapted to electricallyconnect to an external electronic device, and includes: a cover portionadapted to couple to the first surface of the portable electronicdevice; a first interface at a first location on the cover portionadapted to electrically couple to the portable electronic device; asecond interface at a second location on the cover portion adapted toelectrically couple to the external electronic device; and a cablecoupled to the first and second interfaces adapted to provide electricalcommunication between the first interface and the second interface.

U.S. Pat. Application Publication No. 2014/0057687 appears to disclose aprotective case for cellular phones. By letting the cellular phone beclosely fixed by a cellular phone supporting fixture elastically fixedwith springs and plate springs attached to a protection cover whenholding the cellular phone, in order to be capable of accommodating andfixing a wide range of cellular phones which slightly differ in size,thickness, model and etc. between cellular phone supporting fixture andplate spring, and by pulling out a moving board where the cellular phoneis kept upward a fixed board when taking photographs with the cellularphone, users are able to take photographs in the condition in which acamera lens of the cellular phone is exposed outside the cellular phonecase. Diverse types and functions of wallet receptacles can be combinedon the face outside the main body of the cellular phone case.

Chinese Patent Number CN205945826 appears to disclose a movablecellphone lens cover. The utility model discloses a cellphone case thatincludes a cellphone shell body, a cover, and a slide rail. The utilitymodel provides a cellphone case that protects the camera lens with thecover to protect the camera lens from damage, as well as keep the cameralens clean.

While the above-identified patents and publications do appear todisclose various cases, enclosures, and assemblies for electronicdevices, their configurations remain non-desirous and/or problematicinasmuch as, among other things, none of the above-identified cases,enclosures, and assemblies appear to enable a person to use the flash ofthe camera system as a flashlight while simultaneously preservinghis/her night vision.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent inlight of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the claimed subject matter. Thissummary is not an extensive overview, and is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope of the claimed subjectmatter. Its purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form asa prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The present invention is directed to a case for use in association withan electronic device having a camera system with a flash that can serveas a flashlight, comprising: (a) a case body, wherein the case body isadapted to releasably retain the electronic device; and (b) a covermember, wherein the cover member is adapted to enable a person to usethe flash of the camera system as a flashlight while simultaneouslypreserving his/her night vision.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the case bodyincludes an electronic device cavity defined by a left side wall, aright side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the case bodyincludes a camera system aperture.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the casebody includes a cover member cavity defined by a left side wall, a rightside wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the cover membercavity is adapted to releasably and slidably retain the cover member.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the case body isfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of aleather, a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, a metal, a metal alloy, anatural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a composite, and/or wood.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the cover membercomprises a material that is transparent or substantially transparent(e.g., greater than 85%) in the visible region of the electromagneticspectrum.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover memberfilters light such that the predominant (e.g., majority as perceived bythe human eye) color of light emitted is red.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the covermember filters light such that the predominant wavelength emitted rangesfrom approximately (i.e., +/- 10%) 625 nanometers to approximately(i.e., +/- 10%) 740 nanometers during normal use.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the covermember filters light such that the predominant color of light emitted isgreen.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover memberfilters light such that the predominant wavelength emitted ranges fromapproximately (i.e., +/- 10%) 520 nanometers to approximately (i.e., +/-10%) 565 nanometers during normal use.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover member isfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting ofborosilicate glass, soda lime glass, natural and synthetic polymericresins, plastics, composites, polyesters, polyimides, polycarbonates,glass-clad polycarbonates, polysulfones, polyamides, polyethylenenaphthalate, ethylene vinyl acetate, acrylate polymers, and/or cyclicolefin copolymers.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the covermember is bifurcated into a first part and a second part, wherein thefirst part filters light such that the predominant color of lightemitted is red, and the second part filters light such that thepredominant color of light emitted is green.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the covermember is bifurcated into a first part and a second part, wherein thefirst part filters light such that the predominant color of lightemitted is red, and the second part is opaque and blocks thetransmission of light.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover member istrifurcated into a first part, a second part, and a third part, whereinthe first part filters light such that the predominant color of lightemitted is red, the second part filters light such that the predominantcolor of light emitted is green, and the third part is opaque and blocksthe transmission of light.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the covermember includes one or more ribs that are adapted to enhance and/orfacilitate the lateral slidability of the same.

The present invention is also directed to a cover for use in associationwith an electronic device having a camera system with a flash that canserve as a flashlight, comprising, consisting essentially of and/orconsisting of: a cover member, wherein the cover member is securable tothe electronic device proximate the camera system, and wherein the covermember is adapted to enable a person to use the flash of the camerasystem as a flashlight while simultaneously preserving his/her nightvision.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cover memberfilters light such that the predominant color of light emitted is red.

The present invention is further directed to an assembly for use inassociation with an electronic device having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight, comprising, consisting essentiallyof and/or consisting of: (a) a first attachment member; (b) a secondattachment member; (c) a connecting member; (d) a cover member, whereinthe cover member is adapted to enable a person to use a flash of acamera system as a flashlight while simultaneously preserving his/hernight vision during normal use; and (e) wherein the connecting member issecured to the first and second attachment members, and wherein thecover member is adapted to slide laterally between the first and secondattachment members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by theaccompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are notnecessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understandingof the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive maybe omitted.

It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarilylimited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is an exploded perspective view of an embodimentof a case and cover member associated with an electronic device (e.g.,smart phone) having a camera system with a flash that can serve as aflashlight;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a front perspective view of an electronicdevice (e.g., smart phone) for use in association with a case of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a rear perspective view of an electronicdevice (e.g., smart phone) for use in association with a case of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a rear perspective view of a case manufacturedin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a front perspective view of a casemanufactured in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 of the drawings is a perspective view of an embodiment of anelectronic device (e.g., smart phone) having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight positioned within the case of thepresent invention, showing a cover member releasably associatedtherewith;

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a perspective view of an embodiment of anelectronic device (e.g., smart phone) having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight positioned within the case of thepresent invention, showing the cover member in a first or open position;

FIG. 8 of the drawings is a perspective view of an embodiment of anelectronic device (e.g., smart phone) having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight positioned within the case of thepresent invention, showing the cover member in a second or partiallyclosed position;

FIG. 9 of the drawings is a perspective view of an embodiment of anelectronic device (e.g., smart phone) having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight positioned within the case of thepresent invention, showing the cover member in a third or fully closedposition;

FIG. 10 of the drawings is a perspective view of an embodiment of anelectronic device (e.g., smart phone) having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight positioned within the case of thepresent invention, showing a bifurcated cover member releasablyassociated therewith;

FIG. 11 of the drawings is a perspective view of an embodiment of anelectronic device (e.g., smart phone) having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight positioned within the case of thepresent invention, showing a trifurcated cover member releasablyassociated therewith;

FIG. 12 of the drawings is a perspective view of an embodiment of anelectronic device (e.g., smart phone) having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight releasably associated with a covermember that generally conforms to the geometry of the camera system;

FIG. 13 of the drawings is a top plan view of an assembly for use inassociation with an electronic device having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight;

FIG. 14 of the drawings is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 13 ;

FIG. 15 of the drawings is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 13 shownin association with an electronic device having a camera system with aflash that can serve as a flashlight; and

FIG. 16 of the drawings is a plurality of perspective views of analternative embodiment of an assembly for use in association with anelectronic device having a camera system with a flash that can serve asa flashlight.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms and applications, there are shown in the drawings and describedherein in detail several specific embodiments with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit theinvention to the embodiments illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components,referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by likereference characters. In addition, it will be understood that thedrawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodimentsof the invention, and some of the components may have been distortedfrom their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-5 in particular, a firstembodiment of case 10, for use in association with electronic device 12having camera system 14 with flash 16 that can serve as a flashlight, isshown as generally comprising case body 18 and cover member 20. Inaccordance with the present invention, when a user activates theflashlight of the electronic device, the cover member modifies theoutput light, as perceived by the user, so it does not adversely affectthe night vision of the user.

As is best shown in FIGS. 4-5 , case 10 is adapted to releasably retainelectronic device 12 and includes electronic device cavity 22 defined byleft side wall 24, right side wall 26, top wall 28, and bottom wall 30.Case 10 also includes camera system aperture 32.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , case body 18 includes cover member cavity 34defined generally by left side wall 36, right side wall 38, top wall 40,and bottom wall 42. Cover member cavity 34 is adapted to releasably andslidably retain cover member 20 (See FIGS. 6-9 ).

In accordance with the present invention, case body 18 is preferablyfabricated from a material selected from the group consisting of aleather, a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, a metal, a metal alloy, anatural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, a composite, and/or wood.

Cover member 20 may be fabricated from any one of a number of materialsthat are preferably transparent or substantially transparent in thevisible region of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as, for example,borosilicate glass, soda lime glass, natural and synthetic polymericresins, plastics, and/or composites including polyesters (e.g. PET),polyimides (PI), polycarbonates, glass-clad polycarbonates (GCP)polysulfones, polyamides, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), ethylene vinylacetate (EVA), acrylate polymers, as well as Topas®, which iscommercially available from Ticona of Summit, New Jersey. Cover member20 is preferably fabricated from a sheet of glass having a thicknessranging from approximately 0.10 millimeters (mm) to approximately 12.7mm, more preferably from approximately 0.50 mm to approximately 1.50 mm,and yet more preferably from approximately 0.60 mm to approximately 1.00mm. Of course, the thickness of the cover will depend largely upon theparticular application of flashlight. While particular substratematerials have been disclosed, for illustrative purposes only, it willbe understood that numerous other substrate materials are likewisecontemplated for use - so long as the materials are at leastsubstantially transparent and exhibit appropriate physical properties,such as strength, to be able to operate effectively in conditions ofintended use. Indeed, the cover members of the present invention can be,during normal operation, exposed to extreme temperature variation aswell as substantial UV radiation, emanating primarily from the sun. Itwill be further understood that cover member 20 may comprise a UVabsorbing layer and/or contain a UV absorbing material to help protectcomponents of the camera system from UV damage.

In one embodiment of the present invention, cover member 20 filterslight such that the predominant color of light emitted from theflashlight is red. In this embodiment, the cover member filters lightsuch that the predominant wavelength emitted ranges from approximately625 nanometers to approximately 740 nanometers during normal use.

In another embodiment of the present invention, cover member 20 filterslight such that the predominant color of light emitted from theflashlight is green. In this embodiment, the cover member filters lightsuch that the predominant wavelength emitted ranges from approximately520 nanometers to approximately 565 nanometers during normal use.

As is best shown in FIG. 10 , cover member 20 can be bifurcated intofirst part 44 and second part 46. Preferably, the first part filterslight such that the predominant color of light emitted is red, and thesecond part filters light such that the predominant color of lightemitted is green. Alternatively, cover member 20 can be bifurcated intoa first part and a second part, wherein the first part filters lightsuch that the predominant color of light emitted is red, and the secondpart is opaque and blocks the transmission of light.

Referring now to FIG. 11 , cover member 20 can also be trifurcated intofirst part 44, second part 46, and third part 48, wherein the first partfilters light such that the predominant color of light emitted is red,the second part filters light such that the predominant color of lightemitted is green, and the third part is opaque and blocks thetransmission of light.

Referring back to FIG. 6 , cover member 20 can include one or more ribs50 that are adapted to enhance the lateral slidability of the covermember.

As is best shown in FIG. 12 , the present invention is also directed tocover 52 for use in association with electronic device 12 having camerasystem 14 with flash 16 that can serve as a flashlight. Cover 52 issecurable to the electronic device proximate the camera systempreferably via an adhesive and/or electrostatic forces. Cover 52 isadapted to enable a person to use the flash of the camera system as aflashlight while simultaneously preserving his/her night vision. Atleast the portion of cover 52 that overlays flash 16 can be fabricatedfrom the same material and have the same properties as cover member 20.Cover 52 includes a plurality of apertures 54 for accommodating lensesof the camera system.

As is best shown in FIGS. 13-15 , the present invention is also directedto assembly 56 for use in association with electronic device 12 havingcamera system 14 with flash 16 that can serve as a flashlight. Assembly56 preferably includes first attachment member 58, second attachmentmember 60, connecting member 62, and cover member 20. Cover member 20 isadapted to enable a person to use the flash of the camera system as aflashlight while simultaneously preserving his/her night vision duringnormal use. Connecting member 62 is preferably secured to first andsecond attachment members 58 and 60, respectively, and is adapted toslide laterally between the first and second attachment members.

Referring now to FIG. 16 , the present invention is yet further directedto assembly 70 for use in association with electronic device 12 havingcamera system 14 with flash 16 that can serve as a flashlight. Assembly70 preferably includes housing or body 72 having aperture 74 andslidable cover member 20.

Body 72 preferably includes a cavity for containing cover member 20which is generally defined by a front wall, a back wall, a left sidewall, a right side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. While body 72has been shown as being square, it will be understood that otherperipheral geometries (e.g., circular, oval, triangular, square,rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, polygonal, etcetera) anddesign configurations are likewise contemplated for use in accordancewith the present invention. The same is true for cover member 20. Thebottom wall of body 72 preferably includes an adhesive (e.g., glue,double sided tape, etcetera) for securement to electronic device 12.Assembly 70 is preferably positioned adjacent (e.g., above, below, nextto, to the right of, to the left of, etcetera) to camera system 14 ofelectronic device 12 depending largely upon the placement of the camerasystem.

In accordance with the present invention, cover member 20 of assembly 70is adapted to enable a person to use the flash of the camera system as aflashlight while simultaneously preserving his/her night vision duringnormal use. Cover member 20 can include one or more ribs 50 that areadapted to enhance the lateral slidability of the cover member.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the inventionand the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appendedclaims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have thedisclosure before them will be able to make modifications withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it shouldbe understood that changes and modifications can be made therein inaccordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from thetechnology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably bepracticed in the absence of any element or elements, limitation orlimitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, theterms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etcetera shall be readexpansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms andexpressions employed herein have been used as terms of description andnot of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such termsand expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology.Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understoodto include those elements specifically recited and those additionalelements that do not materially affect the basic and novelcharacteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of”excludes any element not specified.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application. Many modifications andvariations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalentmethods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in additionto those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations areintended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The presentdisclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited toparticular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biologicalsystems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are describedin terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individualmember or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easilyrecognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range beingbroken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths,tenths, etcetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed hereincan be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upperthird, etcetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the artall language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,”and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which canbe subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally,as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes eachindividual member.

All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and otherdocuments referred to in this specification are herein incorporated byreference as if each individual publication, patent application, issuedpatent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated tobe incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that arecontained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extentthat they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.

1. A case for use in association with an electronic device having acamera system with a flash that can serve as a flashlight, comprising: acase body, wherein the case body is adapted to releasably retain theelectronic device; and a cover member, wherein the cover member isadapted to enable a person to use the flash of the camera system as aflashlight while simultaneously preserving his/her night vision.
 2. Thecase according to claim 1, wherein the case body includes an electronicdevice cavity defined by a left side wall, a right side wall, a topwall, and a bottom wall.
 3. The case according to claim 1, wherein thecase body includes a camera system aperture.
 4. The case according toclaim 1, wherein the case body includes a cover member cavity defined bya left side wall, a right side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall,wherein the cover member cavity is adapted to releasably and slidablyretain the cover member.
 5. The case according to claim 1, wherein thecase body is fabricated from a material selected from the groupconsisting of a leather, a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, a metal,a metal alloy, a natural resin, a synthetic resin, a plastic, acomposite, and/or wood.
 6. The case according to claim 1, wherein thecover member comprises a material that is transparent or substantiallytransparent in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. 7.The case according to claim 1, wherein the cover member filters lightsuch that the predominant color of light emitted is red.
 8. The caseaccording to claim 1, wherein the cover member filters light such thatthe predominant wavelength emitted ranges from approximately 625nanometers to approximately 740 nanometers during normal use.
 9. Thecase according to claim 1, wherein the cover member filters light suchthat the predominant color of light emitted is green.
 10. The caseaccording to claim 1, wherein the cover member filters light such thatthe predominant wavelength emitted ranges from approximately 520nanometers to approximately 565 nanometers during normal use.
 11. Thecase according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is fabricated from amaterial selected from the group consisting of borosilicate glass, sodalime glass, natural and synthetic polymeric resins, plastics,composites, polyesters, polyimides, polycarbonates, glass-cladpolycarbonates, polysulfones, polyamides, polyethylene naphthalate,ethylene vinyl acetate, acrylate polymers, and/or cyclic olefincopolymers.
 12. The case according to claim 1, wherein the cover memberis bifurcated into a first part and a second part, wherein the firstpart filters light such that the predominant color of light emitted isred, and the second part filters light such that the predominant colorof light emitted is green.
 13. The case according to claim 1, whereinthe cover member is bifurcated into a first part and a second part,wherein the first part filters light such that the predominant color oflight emitted is red, and the second part is opaque and blocks thetransmission of light.
 14. The case according to claim 1, wherein thecover member is trifurcated into a first part, a second part, and athird part, wherein the first part filters light such that thepredominant color of light emitted is red, the second part filters lightsuch that the predominant color of light emitted is green, and the thirdpart is opaque and blocks the transmission of light.
 15. The caseaccording to claim 1, wherein the cover member includes one or more ribsthat are adapted to enhance the lateral slidability of the same.
 16. Acover for use in association with an electronic device having a camerasystem with a flash that can serve as a flashlight, comprising: a covermember, wherein the cover member is securable to the electronic deviceproximate the camera system, and wherein the cover member is adapted toenable a person to use the flash of the camera system as a flashlightwhile simultaneously preserving his/her night vision.
 17. The coveraccording to claim 1, wherein the cover member filters light such thatthe predominant color of light emitted is red.
 18. (canceled)